Hey there!
Today we are going back about a month to give you a step by step on how we completely transformed our kitchen. It goes like this- cut, peel, stick. That’s it. But seriously- we found the easiest way to totally brighten up any dull space with peel and stick faux tiles.
Here’s the Deal:
We have been doing a lot of home improvement projects, most of which require a hefty budget and team of professionals to install. Some examples include much needed bathroom redos and new kitchen countertops. However; not every project has to be so pricy and so permanent. We started to do some research on how install kitchen backsplash on our own and kept coming back to the peel and stick tiles. We are going to share the process so you can re-create the overhaul for your kitchen too.
Things you will need:
- Peel and stick tiles. We linked the website where we found ours- they have so many colors and patterns- the possibilities are truly endless. We were super impressed with the quality of the ‘tiles’ that are pre-cut into squares on thick pieces of adhesive backed vinyl. They come in 4”, 6”, or 12” squares. We went with the 6” and love how they filled the space.
- Retractable Razor Blaze: We used this to cut the tiles when needed to fit into the spaces between the cabinets.
- Piece of Cardboard: We used this to put under the tiles while cutting them with the razor.
- Ruler or Level: We used this as a guide of where to run the razor along the tiles to make cuts.
- Screwdriver: We used this to remove our light socket covers.
- Pencil: We used this to mark tiles when they needed to be cut.
SHOP THE BACKSPLASH TILES:
Before and After:
Let’s go girls:
- Step 1 Prepare: Clear everything from your counter top, remove your light socket covers, clean the walls with a gentle cleaner (make sure they are dry before you begin installing the tile).
- Step 2 Plan: Plan your first set of tiles above the largest surface area of your kitchen wall. For us this would be centered above our stovetop. We began there and worked our way out. It helps to hold up around 4 tiles and envision how it would look once placed.
- Step 3 Start: Begin to peel the backing off each tile and stick to the wall. Once you get to corners where the full square tile cannot fit, place the tile in the area, and roughly mark the desired cuts with a pencil. Take the marked tile to your cutting station and place it on top of the cardboard. Use the ruler to make a straight cut with the razor. Remove the backing and stick in the desired area.
- Step 4 Repeat: Repeat the process until all tiles are placed. Once finished, add back your light socket covers and countertop décor. You now have a new kitchen backsplash.
Questions:
Does the tile look real?
Yes! So real! The tiles have a slight fade to white on the edges of each square so once assembled, it resembles real tile with grout in between each one.
How long did it take?
From start to finish the project took us around 2 hours- so easy!
Any tips?
When trying to decide where to end the tile, we recommend lining it up to where your cabinets end. Your wall will most likely extend past your cabinets, but we recommend stopping before that.
Can I use these tiles for anything besides my kitchen back-splash?
Yes! The website shows them used in all kinds of places. The only place we don’t recommend using them is on the floor as they aren’t the most durable. You can definitely use them in a bathroom, under your kitchen bar half wall, or on the front-facing panels on a stair case!
Let us know if you decide to give the peel and stick makeover a try!
xoxo,
Abbey and Hayley
The Hester twins
